Capital Region News

Astorino to Run for Governor

A top county official from New York City's northern suburbs is officially launching his uphill fight to unseat New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, announced today in a video that the idea that things are great in New York is a “fairy tale.''

State Republicans hold their nominating convention in May. Celebrity businessman Donald Trump has said he would consider a run if the party unifies behind him. Cuomo is far ahead in polls, has name recognition and fundraising. He’s even been rumored as a possible candidate for President in 2016. But Astorino argues New York is moving in the wrong direction and Cuomo is beatable.

Astorino, 46, was easily elected in November to his second term as the head of government in suburban Westchester, which has a Democratic-majority. Statewide, there are twice as many Democrats as Republicans.